This Makeup Artist Is Changing How We See ASL

The Inspiring Reason This Makeup Artist Does Tutorials In Sign Language

At first glance, Catherine Martinez's makeup tutorials look like many of the ones you've already seen on Instagram: packed full of blinding highlighter, perfectly defined brows, and winged liner. But keep watching and you’ll realize something truly special: This influencer's tutorials are done entirely in sign language.

The idea for ASL beauty tutorials came from Martinez's studies in college. The recent NYU graduate was studying Communicative Sciences and Disorders when she discovered the lack of accessibility to beauty videos for the deaf and hard of hearing community. Martinez decided to take matters into her own hands by combining her love for makeup with her passion for Audiology.

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According to Martinez, her first ASL tutorial, featuring the Anastasia Beverly Hills x Nicole Guerriero Glow Kit, received overwhelming support from her followers. After all the positive feedback, Martinez continued creating tutorials on a variety of topics — including lipstick swatches, eyeliner tips, and even a few posts documenting her skin-care routine. The result: an Instagram page with 38,000 loyal followers and several call-outs by branded Instagram pages, including Anastasia Beverly Hills and theBalm.

Despite her already significant following, Martinez is determined to keep learning. She's currently looking into masters programs in Audiology. “I’m not fluent and I have so much to learn, but it doesn’t stop me from trying and practicing as well,” she told Refinery29. Luckily, she’s able to improve with the help of her close friend Kayla, who is deaf. “Kayla helps me a lot with my sign and encourages me that what I’m doing is making a difference for the community and brings to light the fact that there should be more communicative resources in the media," says Martinez.

Take a brief look at the comments on Martinez's recent posts, and you'll quickly realize just how much of a difference she's making in the lives of her followers. "I am around 60-70% deaf and you have no idea how shocked and pleased I was when I came across this video," one wrote. Another said, "I love these tutorials and your passion for what you do girl! You are amazing and I have so much respect for you.” That makes two of us.